GCC yet to clear encroachments on MRTS-Perungudi rd

Chennai: Eleven months after the high court passed a directive, locals have flagged Greater Chennai Corporation's (GCC) failure to remove encroachments along the six-vent culvert on MRTS-Perungudi Link Road.The culvert is a crucial outlet for the flow of rainwater into Pallikaranai marshland from areas in Velachery, Perungudi and Taramani. While the canal was grappling with insufficient width and rampant encroachments, the corporation constructed a pond three years ago along the drain, increasing the risk of flooding, residents said. "We moved the court against this in 2023, and the orders were passed in 2025, directing authorities to remove the encroachments and explore the feasibility of building another culvert to prevent flooding. Nothing has happened," said M Balakrishnan, general secretary, TANSI Nagar residents' welfare association.TOI found several buildings in the area marked in yellow and red. Residents said revenue officials identified them as encroachments in 2025, but were yet to remove them. As a part of beautification efforts, the civic agency has fenced patches of land to grow flowering plants. "Corporation must remove the encroachments first. How can you focus on beautification when there is a risk of flooding," Balakrishnan said.Corporation assistant engineer Heartin Rozario said the revenue department will remove encroachments after the elections. Denying flood risks, he said, "The pond will work as a flood barrier. Since the area is low-lying, water gets carried from several localities, including Anna Indira Nagar, TANSI Nagar and Seshadripuram."Zone 13 ward committee chairman Durairaj agreed. "In 2025 not even a drop of water was there on the link road along the canal. The pond was constructed after consultations with experts," he added.An official said steps were being taken to identify locations for the culvert. "It is a long process involving multiple departments," he added.
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